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The Senate voted unanimously on Friday in favor of the legislation, which creates specific requirements for lenders and borrowers participating in mediation. It imposes penalties, including fines or dismissal of the foreclosure action, if the participants don’t act in good faith.

The bill also creates a five-week pre-mediation process that would be held before the borrowers and lenders meet. During that time, a mediator and the homeowner would meet to discuss the homeowner’s options and make sure the homeowner’s paperwork is in order.

Under the bill, the court would be prohibited from entering a judgment of strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale against the borrower until the mediation period has ended.